Rings

[Gnisy]

Where did the idea of the wedding ring originated from? And are there any significance of the ring placements on each finger?

[Drusilla]

Wedding rings date back to either to the Romans, or the ancient Egyptians, can't remember which. Anyway, they believed a vein on the third finger of the left hand ran directly to the heart. The wedding ring itself is meant to represent a never ending circle of everlasting love. On a less romantic level, the wedding ring has been denigrated as a symbol of male ownership of a woman and many early Christians refused to wear them because they broke laws in scripture about unholy bodily adornments of gold and pearls.

[Baronvhb]

as an aside, some nuns wear wedding rings to signify their "marraige" to God

[Gnisy]

Thanks for the answers.
If the ring was to control the vein that is directly connected to the heart, then why are wedding rings placed on the 'ring' finger instead? Then, is there such an idea that rings placed on the third ring signify an engagement ( fiance-fiancee relationship )?
Nuns wear rings? This I gotta see.

[ursula62]

Orthodox Jewish women wear their wedding rings on the ring finger of the right hand, but during the wedding ceremony the ring is placed on the bride's index finger (also on the right hand).

[ursula62]

P.S. You can read a bit about a nun's ring here:

http://www.greynun.org/Vocation/Vocationpage.htm

Jan now wears the Grey Nun ring � a simple silver band with the words, "Jesus, Mary, Joseph" engraved on the inside. The ring for Sisters is like a wedding ring for spouses. It signals a bond, vows, a pledge. Jan says, "I really want to be a genuine public witness of God's love. We don't wear habits. Instead, I want to put on the compassion of Jesus. I want to become the best self God intended for me to be. I want to share the love and charity that our foundress, Saint Marguerite d'Youville, and the Grey Nuns give to the world."

[Drusilla]

I'm not sure I understand you Gnisy. I always thought the third finger on the left hand was the ring finger. It's where I wore my wedding ring. I'm all confused, now. Help!!! I'm talking third finger along from the thumb. I think we've got crossed wires and the way my mornings going, I'm pretty sure it's my fault. Sorry!

[Gnisy]

Drusilla>> No mistake. It's a cultural difference. Forgive my negligence in mentioning I'm not from UK. I enjoy this page so I joined.

Anyways, I've always been taught that the ring finger is the fourth from the thumb. The third is refered to as the middle finger and the fore finger/index finger is the one you point to the stars with. By the way, the middle finger is third from the thumb or from the other end =)

Baron & Ursula>> Thanks for the information and the page. I learned something new today! oo, and I saw the rings on the fingers in the photos too. Yup, that's the ring finger I know.

[joko]

I think the misunderstanding of which finger is which is because some are counting from the thumb, not including it - and also counting the thumb as a finger...as in 5 fingers rather than 4 fingers and a thumb

as I understand it it goes -

thumb fore/index middle ring little

[HAnn521]

Final answer: jojo has it right ... that's the way it goes and the British and Americans (whish I am) all have the same "ring" finger...

Gnisy: as for your original question...at some point in the US I was taught (prob. by a women's activist) that the wedding ring dates back to when men did use it to signify "ownership" of the woman he married. The finger we wear our ring on the left hand is the finger that is the weakest ...signifying that the man made up for a woman's weakness and sort-of "completed" her.

(this is just one belief, but if you'll notice, the ring finger is the weakest. It can barely move alone from other fingers.)

[Gnisy]

American Hann>> Ah, interesting ownership deal. Perhaps that's what they meant by 'your better half" ?

By the way, the ring finger is 'weakest' because it shares a tendon with the middle finger.

To others reading this, try this simple experiment.
Place your hand palm down on a flat surface ( table ). Retrieve the middle finger inwards into the sanctuary of your palm. At this point you will have four outward fingers and one retrieved middle finger ( like the head of a tortoise pulled into its shell ). Now, lift the ring finger with all your might. Try it, try it.

I said try it.

It's a fun trick to play on people who think they are tough.

[Drusilla]

Linking with my previous answer about early Christians dismissing wedding rings as frippery, I've just discovered the Puritans in America gave their wives thimbles instead of rings because they were considered a practical item. Apparently, the wives snipped the end off the thimble, so it resembled a ring, but remained functional.
I would also like to comment on a completely different subject and hope you don't mind. You answered a question for me about the problems I'm having with my sister and I'm really interested to know why you thought I was male. I'm actually the mother of two young children, but strangely, my sister has always accused me of being solitary and insular, 'just like a bloke', (her phrase) and your comments have got me thinking. I think I'm going paranoid! Help!!!!

[Gnisy]

Drusilla, I will never forget your name for as long as I live.

Sigh.. I'm so sorry for making such a silly mistake. I have posted an apology under your question in People and Places. Someone should just lock me up and throw away the key..